building before death concern read

Relentless Impaler

Monsters Vecna: Eve of Ruin

over and over again to regenerate beside the victim’s body, no matter how many times it is destroyed. The impaler pursues its creator’s agenda coldly and efficiently. It has no concern for its own self-preservation, knowing that, for itself at least, death isn’t the end.

Golgari Agent

Backgrounds Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica

You are a member of a teeming horde — one small part of a sprawling organism. Just as you are part of the swarm, the swarm is part of a larger ecosystem, a never-ending cycle of life, death

Golgari, no fear of death or taboo about the dead, just a fierce affirmation of the cycle. Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Survival Tool Proficiencies: Poisoner’s kit Languages

Rahadin

Monsters Curse of Strahd

his attention to building Castle Ravenloft, Rahadin saw to it that wizards and artisans were brought to Barovia. Years later, Strahd appointed Rahadin his castle chamberlain. Rahadin was pleased to do

Tatyana's death and Strahd's curse. The ageless Patrina returned to Ravenloft in the hope of winning Strahd's love. This time, it was clear that Patrina craved Strahd's power and that Strahd would

Occultant Abacus

Magic Items Acquisitions Incorporated

Head office grants you the use of a unique item known as an occultant abacus (sometimes just referred to as an occultant), whose beads resemble tiny skulls. Read the Kill Also at rank 1, your

finish a long rest. Ways to Read the Kill d6 Reading 1 Using a tiny bellows to pump one last breath into a corpse. 2 Reading the entrails with special reading-the-entrails

Wave Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

, and a Charisma of 18. It has hearing and darkvision out to a range of 120 feet. The weapon communicates telepathically with its wielder and can speak, read, and understand Aquan. It can also speak

from sea chanteys to sacred hymns of the sea gods. Wave zealously desires to convert mortals to the worship of one or more sea gods, or else to consign the faithless to death. Conflict arises if the

Returned Kakomantis

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

throws against any effect that turns undead. Unreadable Face. The Returned is immune to any effect that would sense its emotions or read its thoughts. Wisdom (Insight) checks to ascertain the

Bolt","rollDamageType":"necrotic"} necrotic damage.Although the dead typically recall little of their lives, some have an obsession with magic that survives both death and rebirth as a Returned. These

Bheur Hag

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

’t read, and speaks only in gibberish. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is

bluish hue of a person who has frozen to death. The hag’s hair is white, and the hag is emaciated, with pale eyes surrounded by bruise-colored flesh. A bheur hag carries a twisted gray wooden

Tortle Legacy

Species The Tortle Package

test, and make new acquaintances. Life of a Tortle A tortle hatches from a thick-shelled egg and spends the first few weeks of its life crawling on all fours. Its parents, old and near death, spend

watch a frog croaking on a lily pad, or to stand in a crowded human marketplace. Tortles like to learn new skills. They craft their own tools and weapons, and they are good at building structures and

Crystal Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

. They read these signs as omens, giving them glimpses of what is to come, and they eagerly examine the potential futures of any creatures who come to them in peace. Crystal dragons’ connection to

wyrmling has befriended a white dragon wyrmling. The wyrmlings’ parents, who are ancient rivals, regard the relationship with concern. 4 A crystal dragon wyrmling encourages nearby farmers to

Returned Palamnite

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

throws against any effect that turns undead. Unreadable Face. The Returned is immune to any effect that would sense its emotions or read its thoughts. Wisdom (Insight) checks to ascertain the

(3d6);{"diceNotation":"3d6","rollType":"damage","rollAction":"Shortsword","rollDamageType":"poison"} poison damage.Even death and the loss of their identities can’t erase the rage that inspires

Wand of Orcus Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

or more of its charges to cast one of the following spells (save DC 18) from it: animate dead (1 charge), blight (2 charges), circle of death (3 charges), finger of death (3 charges), power word kill

to a range of 120 feet. The wand communicates telepathically with its wielder and can speak, read, and understand Abyssal and Common. Personality. The wand’s purpose is to help satisfy Orcus

Giff Legacy

Monsters Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes

of giff society is organized along military lines. From birth until death, every giff has a military rank. It must follow orders from those of superior rank, and it can give orders to those of lower

building a bomb big enough to level a fortification. They gladly accept payment in kegs of gunpowder in preference to gold, gems, or other currency. No Honor in Magic. Some giff become wizards

Symbol Legacy

Spells Basic Rules (2014)

sphere for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there. Death. Each target must make a Constitution saving throw, taking 10d10 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a

Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, the target is driven insane for 1 minute. An insane creature can't take actions, can't understand what other creatures say, can't read, and speaks only in

Sword of Kas Legacy

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide (2014)

) from it: call lightning, divine word, or finger of death. Once you use the sword to cast a spell, you can’t cast that spell again from it until the next dawn. Sentience. The Sword of Kas is a

its wielder and can speak, read, and understand Common. Personality. The sword’s purpose is to bring ruin to Vecna. Killing Vecna’s worshipers, destroying the lich’s works, and

Shadar-kai

Species Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

Material Plane to forge their own destinies. Once shadar-kai were Fey like the rest of their elven kin; now they exist in a state between life and death, thanks to being transformed by the Shadowfell

character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you and your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player’s Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

gather and celebrate, dwell the followers of Yurtrus, the god of disease and death, and Shargaas, the god of darkness and the unknown. Orcs too weak for battle (because of bodily weakness, malformation

, injury, or age) often join these cults instead of facing daily humiliation, exile, or death. Serving as the bridge between the two parts of the tribe are the priestesses of Luthic, the orc goddess who

Topaz Dragon Wyrmling

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

creations are ultimately doomed to death and decomposition, and the dragons’ demeanor is typically morbid and curmudgeonly as a result. Gleaming Gold Upon hatching, topaz dragon wyrmlings&rsquo

, but the dragon is too proud to ask for help getting home. 6 A topaz dragon is building a tableau of desiccated creatures and has grown obsessed with catching one treasure hunter who escaped the

Young Topaz Dragon

Monsters Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

the necrotic energy of the Negative Plane that suffuses them. Their psionic power manifests the fundamental entropic principle that mortal beings and their creations are ultimately doomed to death and

to ask for help getting home. 6 A topaz dragon is building a tableau of desiccated creatures and has grown obsessed with catching one treasure hunter who escaped the dragon’s clutches

Criminal - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

realizing the connection. You got the Guild to back off demands for your death by offering to make amends by working for the criminals, but even so the kingpin still plots a personal revenge. 2 The

Guild took over your family business, ran it into the ground, and burned the building for insurance money. You were driven into crime yourself, but you’ll never work for the Guild. You take

Human Legacy

Species Basic Rules (2014)

sang from every page. Long into the night Liriel read, lighting candle after precious candle. She’d never given much thought to humans, but these stories fascinated her. In these yellowed

(except for those few who seek undeath or divine ascension to escape death’s clutches) they achieve it by ensuring that they will be remembered when they are gone. Although some humans can be

Kenku Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

at the burned-out building, a sudden cacophony erupted around us. Birds squawked, cats hissed, and dogs growled. Lidda hustled us back to the city’s safer avenues. Only when we were back within

the area patrolled by the guard did she explain that the noises indicated that the wingless folk had claimed that area, and that to trespass would be to court death. — Gimble, Notes from a

A Call for Heroes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves

pleased you answered our call,” Gwenhumara says. “Something evil lurks in Redwood Grove. Given our history with the dragon Death-at-Sunset, you can understand our concern—and now villagers are missing

members Selenar Woodwise and Gwenhumara Goldmoss approach them to provide more information about Redwood Watch’s call for heroes. Read or paraphrase the following: Standing before you are two wood

Death House Features

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

the characters arrive. The cultists take oil lamps into the ritual chamber (area D38) when they gather there. The Mists When the characters enter Death House, the Mists surround the building and prevent

Death House Features The locations in Death House have the following features. Ceilings Ceilings vary in height by floor. The first floor has 10-foot-high ceilings, the second floor has 12-foot-high

Artavazda's Last Mission

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Journeys through the Radiant Citadel

. The pari rewards each character with a ruby worth 500 gp. If the characters don’t reveal the imminent attempt to free Afsoun, the insightful Artavazda shares a concern about the likelihood of such a

guarding the platform, any Silent Roar members who appear will fight to the death, and Artavazda is eager to rehabilitate these largely nonviolent rebels. In return for the characters’ help in this

Arrival at the Bathhouse

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

Arrival at the Bathhouse When the characters arrive at the bathhouse, read the following boxed text aloud to the players: The bathhouse is a one-story stuccoed building with stained-glass windows and

clay roof tiles. Ten-foot-tall walls enclose a large courtyard outside the southeast corner of the building. The closed wooden doors to the courtyard are engraved with images of smiling nymphs

Surprise Development

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Surprise Development When the failed Wish spell transports the characters to Alustriel’s sanctum, read or paraphrase the following: With a flash of multicolored light, the world winks out of

woman in blue robes leans toward you, her brow furrowed in confusion and concern. In the blurry background stand a frowning woman in a flowing, black dress and a man tugging in confusion at his high

Dragons in Play

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Fizban's Treasury of Dragons

Dragons in Play This chapter is intended for the Dungeon Master. The ideas and tables herein can help inspire you as you prepare to use dragons in your D&D game, whether you’re building a single

divided into five main sections: “Roleplaying Dragons” presents tips and tricks for building a dragon character as complex and distinctive as any other villain, ally, or mysterious figure in your

Undead Attack

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Storm Lord’s Wrath

Undead Attack This encounter occurs at night. As the characters approach the junction of the Triboar Trail and the High Road, set the scene: An oddly shaped building sits at the juncture of the

Triboar Trail and the High Road. Two entrances into the building are apparent: a smaller one at the northern corner, and a larger one, suitable for beasts of burden and wagons, near the first. Right now

14: Fortress

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Heroes of the Borderlands

14: Fortress The castellan governs the keep from its fortress, a stone stronghold solidly built to withstand assault. Multiple towers rise above the main building, which is 30 feet tall. The fortress

fortress, read the following boxed text aloud: Two round towers with pointed roofs flank this tiered stronghold. Archers march along its stone parapets, watching for signs of trouble. Two guards stand outside the fortress’s iron doors; they acknowledge passersby with stern nods.

Life or Death

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Spelljammer: Adventures in Space->Light of Xaryxis

all-consuming core. Death of a Star When Xaryxis is destroyed, read: The star flares, becoming a thousand times brighter. Moments later, it is gone. The exploding star destroys everything within

Life or Death When the characters have at least one ring of shooting stars in their custody, they must decide whether to destroy Xaryxis (to save their world and others like it) or to spare it (thus

Arrival at Leilon Point

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sleeping Dragon’s Wake

Arrival at Leilon Point Leilon Point is ten miles from the town of Leilon. When the characters arrive at Leilon Point, read the following boxed text aloud: The farms of Leilon Point are deathly quiet

. The first, a large cottage, has a sign outside its door that reads, “Head House.” Second, a cubic wood building depicts the image of curling waves on its front door. Third is a brick building high up on

Idyllglen Features

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

businesses that the gnolls have set ablaze. The buildings’ supplies were taken by fleeing townsfolk or ransacked by Yeenoghu’s horde. Each building is one or two stories tall (DM’s choice) and 10 feet

high per story. The interior rooms of the buildings have 9-foot-high ceilings with 8-foot-high doorways connecting them. A character can climb the walls of a building without equipment by succeeding on

Approaching the Lodge

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Approaching the Lodge When the characters approach the lodge, read: Jutting up out of the vast tundra is a towering edifice built entirely of ice. The domed structure is easily three times the height

and width of any building found in Ten-Towns. The lodge has three tall openings on the east side. On the southern side of the building is a tunnel left behind by a remorhaz that raided the lodge’s

The Ulmist Inquisition

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Vecna: Eve of Ruin

business they have at the house on the far side of the village. However the characters respond, Sarusanda says she is also going to the building. “The locals call it Death House,” she says. “Perhaps we

can help each other achieve our goals there.” In the course of their conversation, Sarusanda conveys the following information to the party. Cultists in Death House Death House is owned by Gustav and

2. Northern Terraces

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Out of the Abyss

seldom seen in myconids. It asks for exasperatingly minor details such as the precise dimensions of bricks or the density of lumber. Gasbide reveals through the rapport that it dreams of building a

of the growers doesn’t care much for Phylo’s new ideas. But though it misses mass meldings, Hebopbe doesn’t see Basidia’s protests as worthy of concern. Hebopbe is infected by Zuggtmoy’s spores, but isn’t yet under her control.

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